Climate

Concerns supply crisis at Chihuahua city caused by ferocious drought; includes notes on steps taken by governor to bring in emergency food; other areas of province hit by drought; various shipments of grain and beans to settlement; possible use of mission stores; current supply as of various dates in municipal alhondiga. F. 128 presents a table of food shipped from San Buenaventura. Documents emphasize weakness of frontier commerce in face of such a crisis (J. Williams, may 1987)

Murgier received order to present company in Padilla for two month campaign against Indians beginning south of Tamaulipas. Purpose to eliminate rancherias on east ridge. Murgier divides troops and sends in different directions. Describes troop clothing. Attack on Rancheria results in murder of Suraques. Physical description of area, water, pines etc. And difficulties terrain presents for travel and locating water. Upon arrival at each stop, place given name and reported to conde. says Santa Maria Valley fertile, capable of producing 25 fanegas in addition to temporal harvests. Puga's detachment with 10 prisoners asked for horses to transport injured soldiers all of whom later lost in confrontation. says Indians angry and vindictive. Relates achievements and information gained with each campaign. Murgier gives command to Puga during his illness. Includes diary of activity under Puga. Informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)

Informes, oficios, and letters concerning: request for assistance due to poor harvest in region; grain, horses and mules purchased to counter climatic conditions; military actions taken by Serna; informe and description of mariscadas killed, by whom, where; balance in fondo de compania; battles with Yeguas; illness, death of soldiers from peste; funeral, interment of Vidal, selection of successor; need for additional mules and horses; list of personnel in primera compania, locations; revistas and diarios of monthly activity; desire to punish Indians; suffering sustained by personnel in certain jurisdicion replacement of officers. (L. Kerr, June 1988)

Oficios and letters concerning: selection of abilitado; libro maestrado of Larrinaga, previous cajero; effects of agricultural conditions in eastern and southern portions of Nuevo Santander on relations with Indians. (L. Kerr, June 1988)

Documents pertaining to naming of engineers and instructions on how to achieve goals of expeditions to Nueva Vizcaya and Sonora. Planning and settlement of port of Guaymas and Rio Yaqui as Principal areas for commerce and trade. Conquest thru war and pacification of Seris and Pimas Altos; detailed ethnography. After achieving these goals expedition to resume exploration up Rio Gila establishing town on banks preferably near Colorado River to serve as capital of Gila province; study natural resources in detail; find mines and other natural riches to attract settlers; wage war against Apaches to secure lands and make possible fluvial navigation. Area should serve as protection to other settlements to east and south of province. Letters about arrival of visitador general Galvez to Sonora on his way to California. (A. Dell'acqua, November 1987)

Documents about correspondence to viceroy in regard to attacks on Cerro Prieto by Elizondo. Judicial process against soldier who stabbed sargento and other soldier who was on guard being after discovered drinking on duty; soldier was sentenced and executed by firing squad. News of first rains to area. (A. Dell'acqua, February 1988)

List of names entitled Sonora. At bottom of page is alcalde mayor de Tepic. (L. Deatherage, July 1987) payments to troops, sales taxes and fines for commerce and building construction, conflicts with Indians; prisoners taken, military strategies used, Indian attack on Padilla, education of captive Indian children. (L. Deatherage, July 1987)

Gregorio Salinas de Varona's recollections concerning explorations of Texas conducted under his command in 1689 and 1691. (J. H. Ochs, April, 1987)

Concerns Ugarte's friendly conference with O'Conor at la Babia; health; provinces bad climate; his subordination to O'Conor; his action in support of O'Conor in proposed general campaign; other action taken to block invasions of hostiles. (J. Williams, February 1987).

Ugarte seeks funds to rebuild ruinous house of governor in Monclova; includes notes on poverty of provincial capital; and of soldiers stationed there who were required to pay for their own living and military expenses with meager salaries. (J. Williams, December 1986)